New Model: 2020 Kawasaki KLX230R

Kawasaki have announced the new KLX230R, which was designed from the ground up for dirt fun...

Kawasaki have announced the new KLX230R, which was designed from the ground up for dirt fun, aiming to offer a light, manoeuvrable and powerful bike, in a purpose-built off-road addition to the KLX family.

Featuring a 233cc air-cooled, four-stroke single cylinder engine with a focus on low to mid-range torque, and the simple construction makes for a suitable machine in varying conditions.

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R

The new KLX230R offers a host of hard-nosed off-road advantages versus the more general dual-purpose KLX230, with a lightweight plastic fuel tank, aluminium swing-arm, 115kg overall weight, increased wheel travel (250mm) and more ground clearance (300mm).

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R features at a glance

Fuel-injected 233cc air-cooled four-stroke single cylinder engine

Power – 14.6KW@8000rpm

Torque – 20.6Nm@6000rpm

Electric start – Simple instruments

High-tensile steel perimeter frame

1360mm short wheelbase

Lightweight, plastic 6.6L fuel tank

Large diameter wheels – 21in front / 18in rear

240mm petal front disc twin-piston caliper, 220mm rear

37mm telescopic forks – 250mm front suspension travel

Uni-trak rear suspension – 251mm of rear wheel travel

Colour – Lime Green

Pricing – $5,699 RRP incl. gst

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R Engine

The KLX230R features an all-new compact engine, contributing to the bike’s manoeuvrability and light weight, and the simple construction afforded by air-cooling makes it ideal for trail riding. A bore and stroke of 67 x 66mm yield a displacement of 233cc, and the long-stroke engine offers robust low-mid range torque, for low-speed control.

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R single-cylinder air-cooled engine

The four-stroke air-cooled single cylinder engine offers both reliability and performance, with a simple SOHC 2-valve design reducing complexity and contributes to an easy-to-use character. The fuel injection system, features a 32mm throttle body, and fuel delivery is stable regardless of outside air temperature or atmospheric pressure. Together with fuel injection, electric start offers hassle-free starting at the push of a button.

Exhaust pipe length was selected to contribute to the engine’s low-mid range performance and matching the off-road image of the KX-inspired bodywork, the exhaust features a tapered silencer with an oval cross-section.

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R powerplant

A smooth-shifting six-speed transmission offers a gear for every situation and the short final gear ratio (46/13) complements the engine’s low-mid range focus, enabling riders to continue moving forward even when navigating tricky trails.

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R Chassis

Designed from the start for off-road riding use, the all-new high-tensile steel perimeter frame offers the handling stability needed for trail riding. Extensive feedback from Kawasaki test riders helped achieve the balance between engine and frame that enables a wide range of riders to enjoy the KLX230R.

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R frame

Designing the engine and frame together allowed greater design freedom, enabling the engineers to achieve a compact chassis. Great care was taken to minimise engine height, which allowed an optimal frame line to achieve the ideal rigidity balance, with an ideally positioned centre of gravity, and keeping the seat height at an appropriate level.

The short 1360mm wheelbase contributes to the bike’s handling for new and intermediate riders and the aluminium swingarm contributes to light weight. High 300mm ground clearance also allows riders to more easily clear obstructions they encounter.

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R aluminium swingarm and 18in rear wheel

37mm telescopic fork handles suspension duties up front with long 250mm of travel and at the rear, the new Uni Trak rear suspension with 251mm of wheel travel provides road holding ability and bump absorption. The single rear shock absorber with pressurised nitrogen gas is adjustable for preload.

Petal disc brakes front and rear provide stopping power, with a 240mm front disc gripped by a twin-piston caliper, and a single-piston caliper operates a 220mm disc on the rear. A KX-type rear master cylinder with unitised reservoir contributes to weight savings.

Large-diameter aluminium wheels, measuring 21” at the front and 18” at the rear are fitted and aimed at trail riding, while the frame was designed to be easy to grip with the legs, offering superior chassis control to the rider.

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R Ergos & Styling

Seams between the shrouds, seat and side covers are flush, offering easy control as well as moving around on the bike and like Kawasaki’s KX racers, the flat design of the tank and seat gives the rider greater freedom of movement when changing riding position, including sitting farther forward.

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R tank – 6.6L

Thanks to the design of the KLX230R’s compact package, seat height could be kept to 925mm, while styling cues taken from Kawasaki’s KX motocross machines give the bike an aggressive image. Simple instrumentation mounted at the centre of the handlebar includes an ON/OFF button (and indicator lamp), low-fuel warning lamp and FI warning lamp. An engine kill switch is located at the left grip.

2020 Kawasaki KLX230R with electric start

With a capacity of 6.6L, the fuel tank contributes to the bike’s range, enabling hours of trail riding and the lightweight plastic tank contributes to weight savings. A number of accessories allow riders to customise their ride including skid plate, frame covers, hand covers, fat-type handlebar, handlebar pad, and black alumite rims.